After two excellent nights in the Torino hut, team “Los Incognitos” return to Chamonix via Italy and the Ming Blanc tunnel. We spent the day climbing on the classic multi-pitch route “Hotel California” on the Brevent side of the Chamonix Valley.
Evening was spent enjoying local music (there is a jazz festival in Chamonix this week) and avoiding rain showers which gave a welcome break from the heat.
Here’s a photo that illustrates the balcony view from out hotel in Chamonix…
Paul Koubek
Is my training working? Whether explicitly spoken or implied, this is the question many climbers ask of themselves, their friends, and perhaps their guides. At Alpine Ascents, we hear this question weekly. While the best answer to this question requires a comprehensive understanding of you and your objective, there are simpler ways to get a […]
Off-List Must-Haves Gear lists are honed utilitarian tools for packing for a trip. Our gear lists represent years of carefully considering only and exactly what is needed for a given climb. You might wonder: are there things worth bringing into the mountains not on our gear lists? Absolutely! Loaded Smartphone (the Electronic Multi-Tool) A smartphone […]
Cleaning Down Gear: What’s The Real Deal? Today’s down can be chemically treated so it is hydrophobic, and is available in super-powered 900 or 1000+ fill-power. These fancy, lightweight, and expensive items naturally give us pause at the laundry room door. We automatically know not to treat our down gear like a cotton t-shirt. So what’s […]
